2000 RECORD: 12-3
PLAYOFFS: 1994, 2000
LOKI CUPS: zero
COLORS: Teal and Silver
OWNER: Theodore Beale
GM: Vox Day COACH: Lonzell Cahill
The Piranha began life in the MFL as the Mounds View Marauders. After a tremendously disappointing 1994 season, when their powerful offense disintegrated in the playoffs after injuries to two key players, the franchise was moved to Ponte Vedra Beach because: "there's no state income tax and it isn't so freaking cold in the $@#* winter!"
Despite the potent offense that set a league record for most points scored in a game, the Piranha suffered through a disastrous 1999 season, losing their first seven games before pulling things together to go .500 over the second half. Despite this second-half surge, which featured surprise wins over a powerful Fridley team as well as the eventual league champions, Mankato, the Piranha finished at 4-10, two games behind the seventh-place Cobras.
McNabb led the Piranha over the undefeated Navahos.
Donovan looks for LaDainian in the end zone.
However, Ponte Vedra completely turned things around in 2000, building on the unexpected young talents of Daunte Culpepper, Jeff Garcia, and Charlie Garner. Reeling off eight wins to start the season, the Piranha shocked the league and captured the regular season title with a stellar 12-3 record. However, Ponte Vedra was haunted by the ghosts of Loki Cups past in the MFL championship game, as Garcia and Garner combined for a pathetic four points in a stunning 91-51 loss to the Savage Angels, a team the Piranha had trounced easily twice before.
While Ponte Vedra must be considered one of the prime contenders for the 2001 Loki Cup, the hiring of former league-MVP Lonzell Cahill is a large question mark hovering over the Piranha's season. While the selection of Cahill was hailed by the NAACP, veteran league observers have questioned the move, noting his lack of experience and 3-3 record as a head coach. Still, no one is predicting the Piranha's return to the cellar, and most prognosticators are predicting another playoff appearance for the North Florida team.
